Anders Fogh Rasmussen: “Humanitarian convoy” is deceptive maneuver

Russia used the convoy allegedly carrying humanitarian aid for Ukraine's east to distract attention.

The statement was made by NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen in an interview with the Financial Times, Korrespondent writes.

He is convinced that “the whole convoy approach serves the purpose, at least, to distract attention”. “The Kremlin's self-styled humanitarian convoy into eastern Ukraine could be a guise to distract the west from a build-up of regular Russian forces in Ukraine,” Rasmussen said.

According to him, the West may impose further economic sanctions on Russia.

The NATO Secretary General said additional NATO forces would remain in Eastern Europe “as long as required”. “You will see a more visible NATO presence in the east in the future,” he said.

The convoy crossed the border and arrived in Luhansk on August 22. Russia said all pretexts to delay the delivery of humanitarian aid to people were exhausted. The Ukrainian MFA emphasised the convoy had crossed the border illegally and called on international partners to condemn Russia.

The convoy left Ukraine on August 23.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday Russia had informed the Ukrainian authorities it wold send a second humanitarian convoy to eastern Ukraine in the nearest days using the same route.